Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Compounded pimobendan helps small dogs with mitral valve disease
By Helms, Scott R et al.·Published in International journal of pharmaceutical compounding·2012·Veterinary Referral Hospital of Hicory, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Compounded pimobendan for canine chronic degenerative mitral valve disease and pulmonary hypertension.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Chihuahua and a 12-year-old Poodle were both diagnosed with chronic degenerative mitral valve disease and pulmonary hypertension, which can cause serious heart problems and breathing difficulties. They struggled to take standard oral medications, so their veterinarian prescribed a customized, flavored version of pimobendan (Vetmedin) to help manage their conditions. This tailored treatment aimed to improve their heart function and overall health. While the report highlights the potential benefits of this compounded medication, pet owners should consult their veterinarian about the best options for their pets, especially since there are concerns about the stability of compounded forms of pimobendan.
People also search for: dog heart disease treatment · Chihuahua mitral valve disease · Poodle pulmonary hypertension medication
Abstract
Pimobendan (Vetmedin) is an effective treatment for canine chronic degenerative mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. In an off-label use, it may also be of benefit for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in dogs. In this report, we describe the effects of a palatable customized oral form of pimobendan used with both compounded and commercially manufactured conventional drug therapy to treat degenerative mitral valve disease and pulmonary hypertension in two small dogs. For those patients, who resisted many types of oral medication, the standard manufactured dose of pimobendan was inappropriate. Formulations of the preparations used to treat the patients described in this report are provided for easy reference. It should be noted that at the time of this writing, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany), the manufacturer of pimobendan, has expressed concern about the stability of that agent in aqueous compounded form. To our knowledge, no current data confirming the stability or bioequivalence of compounded pimobendan exist.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23050309/